Data and Privacy running thread

[DanOregon]

Hey all, in light of the Signal debacle and the "casual" relationship the current Administration (not this board, but Washington DC) has, figured this thread might be worthwhile for people to share tips, ask questions, give advice on protecting data, avoid hacking etc.
Also - 23andMe filed for bankruptcy protection this week. State AGs are encouraging people to nuke their accounts ahead of a potential sale since the data is the primary asset the company has. You can download all of the information you have on the site before you nuke. It only takes a few minutes. Who knows what the next company chooses to do with it?
https://www.oregonlive.com/business...TLUTnBoZHEcmeK2C0A_aem_Mf9LqVV1vjJ9-49lbWgLmA

 

[MileHigh]

Never did 23andMe. I certainly do two-factor authentication login on my main email accounts (my work login requires it) and a couple of other login sites (banking, payment for referring, etc.).

 

[DanOregon]

Just did my taxes. Started with TurboTax and they wanted $120 upfront, not taking it from the refund - so I bailed out and did a Free-File through the IRS. I wish I filed before Jan. 20. It was kinda creepy. I had to opt out of stating my ethnicity on the state form to file my state taxes with my federal (There is an Oregon law that allows it, you don't get a tax credit or anything for not being white, but whatever). So I opted out, then a couple of more hoops, drivers license info etc. COME AND GET ME ELON!!!! But I did save $120 by bailing out of Turbo Tax, just had to squint really hard to read the numbers on my W-2. So that's my price for giving in to The Man - $120.

 

[MileHigh]

Just did my taxes. Started with TurboTax and they wanted $120 upfront, not taking it from the refund - so I bailed out and did a Free-File through the IRS. I wish I filed before Jan. 20. It was kinda creepy. I had to opt out of stating my ethnicity on the state form to file my state taxes with my federal (There is an Oregon law that allows it, you don't get a tax credit or anything for not being white, but whatever). So I opted out, then a couple of more hoops, drivers license info etc. COME AND GET ME ELON!!!! But I did save $120 by bailing out of Turbo Tax, just had to squint really hard to read the numbers on my W-2. So that's my price for giving in to The Man - $120.

I used to do my own. But since the plane crash and everything that became involved with the estates, I just let our attorney/CPA deal with it and I just send her everything. W-2s, my referee mileage, etc. She handles K1s for the estates. I get K1s for the two rental properties and send to her. Some years she's good, others she files extensions. I pay quarterly taxes. But I don't need that headache anymore and it's money well spent.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

Hey all, in light of the Signal debacle and the "casual" relationship the current Administration (not this board, but Washington DC) has, figured this thread might be worthwhile for people to share tips, ask questions, give advice on protecting data, avoid hacking etc.
Also - 23andMe filed for bankruptcy protection this week. State AGs are encouraging people to nuke their accounts ahead of a potential sale since the data is the primary asset the company has. You can download all of the information you have on the site before you nuke. It only takes a few minutes. Who knows what the next company chooses to do with it?
https://www.oregonlive.com/business...TLUTnBoZHEcmeK2C0A_aem_Mf9LqVV1vjJ9-49lbWgLmA

I’m glad I’m not the only Privacy Fiend® on the board.

 

[DanielSimpsonDay]

/get on my level

 

[Scout]

Gmail isn’t free…
Waze isn’t free…
Insta, Snap, Facebook isn’t free…
Rewards cards are not free…

I’m ok giving them my data and DNA.

You want to support the police, Barney and Elmer? Give them your DNA. Raping and murdering will be a lot harder to do.

 

[tea and ease]

I saw a meme where "23andMe" is "23toLife" for a brother. There's a TED talk how DNA is OFTEN misrepresented (not misinterpreted) as absolute, yet it's not. But we've been taught it's infallible. So juries convict. As they have on bite marks, no longer infallible, and fingerprints, no longer infallible. Read 'The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist'. Yep, rape and murder harder to do. Or I think you mean "harder to get away with".

 

[swingline]

*You said rape once.*

**I don't like rape.**

 

[HeinekenMan]

The matter of individuals sharing their DNA proves to be a very challenging issue. Although providing your DNA for convenience purposes appears minimal for the price tag there exist numerous ethical dilemmas associated with this practice. Confidentiality issues remain valid since companies and governing bodies may leverage accessed data in the future. The "23andMe to 23toLife" meme reveals an essential fact about the uncertain nature of DNA evidence which makes it unreliable when used as the sole basis for establishing criminal guilt. You should evaluate both positives and negatives before making any commitment since companies often change their strategies following a sale transaction. Free access to services does not exempt you from eventual costs later on.

 

[Slacker]

This is Trump's DEI.

Don't
Expect
Improvement

Dumbo
Elephant
Imbecile

 

[User 4332]

All the public schools in North Carolina use a data management system called PowerSchool for student records. Turned it out it was hacked sometime last year. We got notifications but I wasn't too worried about as it didn't sound like it was anywhere near as bad as it actually was. Then last week we got a new update that they're offering the standard post-breach credit monitoring. Still wasn't too concerned until talking to another parent and it turns out someone used the info from the data breach to successfully obtain additional info and start using her kid's identity to take out false loans.

What a nightmare. Thankfully my kids' stuff is fine, so far, but once that stuff is on the dark web, it's not like it ever goes away. Really frustrating.